The Danish government has decided to allocate 5 million kroner over the next four years to support the night-time operation of the suicide prevention helpline Livslinien.
The government was heavily criticised after it announced it would retract funding from the suicide lifeline. The move would have forced Livslinien to close during the night – a time when the service receives thousands of calls from people in need of help.
READ MORE: Danish government retracts grant for suicide helpline’s night opening
Not enough
According to Jeppe Kristen Toft, the head of Livslinien, the 5 million kroner won’t be enough to maintain a high quality service.
Toft estimates the required salaries of the experts and training of other personnel costs up to 2.2 million kroner per year.
Liselott Blixt, the health spokesperson for Dansk Folkeparti, rejected his complaints, saying the organisation “should be happy” with what they have got.
READ MORE: Danish government proposes more cuts to suicide prevention
Assistance to people in crisis
Livslinien offers anonymous phone and online assistance to people in crisis who might have suicidal thoughts.
The helpline is open every day from 11:00 to 19:00 (telephone number: 7020 1201), while online support is provided at skrivdet.dk.
In Denmark, an average 624 people commit suicide every year.
